Reasoning about the area and shape of parcels
Limiting the size of plots or blocks of the same crop to an area of 4 ha in bocage areas to 15 ha in cereal plains helps preserve and create fixed elements in the landscape (hedges, embankments, etc.).
Authors:
| Régis Wartelle | CRA Picardie | regis.wartelle(at)picardie.chambagri.fr | Amiens (80) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean-Robert Moronval | LEGTA de Chambray | jean-robert.moronval(at)educagri.fr | Gouville (27) |
| Julien Halska | INRA | julien.halska(at)grignon.inra.fr | Grignon (78) |
Presentation
Characterization of the technique
Description of the technique:
It is recommended to create narrow plots, with a width less than 150 to 200 m depending on the authors and local context. The reduced size of plots should result in an increase in interface zones between crops, possibly consisting of hedges and grass strips.
Implementation period On established crop
Spatial scale of implementation Farm & Territory
Application of the technique to...
All crops: Easily generalizable
All soil types: Easily generalizable
All climatic contexts: Easily generalizable
Regulations
POSITIVE influence: Territorialized Agri-Environmental Measures, Plant Environment Plan.
Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system
"Environmental" criteria
Effect on air quality: Variable
Acidification: DECREASE
Phytosanitary emissions: DECREASE
GHG emissions: VARIABLE
Particle emissions: VARIABLE
Effect on water quality: Increasing
N.P.: DECREASE
Pesticides: DECREASE
Turbidity: DECREASE
Due to the limitation of insecticide use (depending on the propensity of molecules to pass into water and air) and through the increase of surfaces that act as barriers to runoff (hedges and grass strips). No effect on N2O, variable effect on CO2: fewer sprayer passes, more maneuvers and trips.
"Agronomic" criteria
Productivity: No effect (neutral)
A loss of productive area is possible if plots are separated by new hedges and/or grass strips.
Soil fertility: Increasing
As insecticides and molluscicides impact soil macrofauna, and even microorganisms useful for soil fertility.
Functional Biodiversity: Increasing
Through reduced use of insecticides and molluscicides, which impact functional biodiversity, and the increase of interface zones (field edges of various types) which serve as refuges and provide resources for functional biodiversity.
Other agronomic criteria: Increasing
Population of certain pests: Increase. It can happen that increased landscape heterogeneity favors certain pests. These cases are however rare.
"Economic" criteria
Operational costs: Variable
Reduction in pesticide expenses (slight, especially if the technique is not combined with others), but possible increase in fuel consumption.
Mechanization costs: Decreasing
If fewer sprayer passes.
Margin: Variable
Effect depending on the balance between reduction in pesticide expenses and evolution of fuel consumption. Note the possible loss of productive area.
Other economic criteria: Variable
Fuel consumption: variable
Possible increase linked to more maneuvers and trips. This effect depends on each farm's configuration and can be offset by reduction of phytosanitary costs.
"Social" criteria
Working time: Variable
Depending on the balance between possible reduction in spraying and possible increase in trips.
Peak period: Variable
Depending on the balance between possible reduction in spraying and possible increase in trips.
For more information
- Agriculture and biodiversity. Valuing synergies. Collective scientific expertise, report summary - X. Le Roux, R. Barbault, J. Baudry, F. Burel, I. Doussan, E. Garnier, F. Herzog, S. Lavorel, R. Lifran, J. Roger-Estrade, J.P. Sarthou, M. Trommetter. INRA, University works, 2008.
- Biodiversity as a production factor - Morgantini J. Y. (FNCIVAM); Joliet V. (FNCIVAM), FNCIVAM, (page 39), 2005.
- arable farming - Ducrot V.; Forestier G. LPO, FARRE, CIVAM, FNAB, Technical brochure, 2009
Keywords
Pest control method:
Mode of action: Action on the initial stock
Type of strategy regarding pesticide use: Redesign
